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| Sunday, 1 December 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Take my word : Sun God's homage to the Buddha For Sri Lankans there is no mountain more sacred than Adam's Peak, the third highest mountain in the island. That it has been named after Adam is in itself proof that its sanctity goes as far back as Adam, the first man created by God, according to Christian, Jewish and Islamic scriptures. It is believed that Adam, when he was sent away from the Garden of Eden, kept his first foot on this peak as he entered the world of human beings. The Hindus and Buddhists, however, do not believe in Adam. So they have other names for this mountain. The Hindus call it 'Sivanoli pa:dam' meaning 'the Sacred Feet that gives the Light of Shiva', one of the gods held in the highest esteem by the Hindus. It is the belief of the Hindus that there is on this mountain a sacred footprint left there by God Shiva. The Buddhists call it 'Sri: Pa:daya' or 'Siri: Pa:de', simply 'the Sacred Footprint' implying that it is the footprint of the Buddha. The island's ancient chronicles record that the Buddha visited this island thrice and that, on his third visit, he left behind his footprint on this peak at the invitation of a regional god by the name of 'Sumana' or 'Saman'. Hence the name 'Samanala kanda' for this mountain, meaning that it is the mountain (kanda) which is the abode of God Saman (samanola). The word 'samanola' (abode of Saman) has a close resemblance to the Sinhala word for the butterfly: Samanala. This has given rise to the idea that it is the Mountain of the Butterflies and the Sinhala Buddhists believe that thousands of butterflies fly towards this Mountain during a particular season, to worship the Sacred Footprint of the Buddha. Buddhists who go on pilgrimage to this Siri Pa:de climb the mountain in the cool of the night in order to reach the peak at dawn so that they could see the sun-rise. For the Buddhists this is no simple sun-rise. It is an unusual spectacle where the sun dips below the eastern sea, rises above it, dips and rises again and again as if it were performing some ritual. For the Sinhala Buddhists, it is a ritual performed by the Sun God to worship the Buddha. In Sinhala, this spectacle is named 'ira se:ve', literally the service (se:ve) of the sun (ira), a phenomenon that blends nature with magic and religion. As the Sun God appears in the East, the Buddhist pilgrims shout in chorus "sa:du sa:du sa:du" a religious phrase that means 'let everything be well'. Solo Art Exhibition The eighth solo exhibition of paintings by M. Chandrapala will be held at Lionel Wendt Art Gallery, Colombo 7 from December 6 - 9 from 9.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. each day.
The paintings depict love, affection, pleasure, hope and various personal bonds in human life. Chandrapala, a painter born at Veyangoda in the Gampaha district entered the University of Kelaniya in 1963 and obtained the B.A. Degree. He also studied at the Government College of Fine Arts (Heywood). Since his childhood he took a keen interest in art and literature. Chandrapala has participated in several major exhibitions in Sri Lanka and won awards for his paintings, some of which been selected for international exhibitions in India, Bangladesh and Bulgeria. A lot of his paintings have been selected by art lovers in many countries such as Great Britain, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, France, Italy, Russia, Hungary, Korea and Japan to display and decorate their personal art galleries and residences. Srimath Indrajith - the Singer Well-known journalist, TV and radio presenter Srimath Indrajith Liyanage will prove his versatility when he makes his debut as a vocalist at a musical show titled 'Gee Sirimath' at the Elphinstone Theatre on December 11 at 6.00 p.m.
Srimath said a stream of popular vocalists will add colour to the show with their own performances backed by Ajith Vithanage's 'Sakura' band. The other singers will be Visharada Gunadasa Kapuge, Karunaratne Divulgane, Visharada Edward Jayakody, Nirosha Virajini, Kamal Addaraarachchi, youthful duo Bhathiya-Santhush, Chandana Liyanarachchi, Indrani Perera, Jagath Wickremasinghe, Asanga Priyamantha Peiris, Ranil Mallawarachchi and Sashika Nisansala. Dancing items will be presented by Kulasiri Budawatta, Rejini Selvanayagam, Channa Wijewardane and Chandana Wickremasinghe Dance Institutes. Chief guests on the occasion will be Ministers Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku and W. J. M. Lokubandara. The entire show is presented free of charge. Christmas on Fifth Avenue Christmas on fifth avenue goes on the boards at the Bishop's College auditorium on Saturday the 7th and Sunday the 8th of December at 7.30 p.m.
The Evening of broadway begins with a dance sequence choreographed by Oosha Saravanamuthtu. Beverley Rodrigo on the Keyboards will give the Best of Christmas while the 'hyper-active Santa Claus will be Shohan Chandiram.The director Jith always brings in new talent to his shows this time. The students of Sureka Amarasinha will perform a instrumental item. The young Students of Ruwani Siemon Seneviratne will add to the singing. The special feature of this program is Mumbai on Broadway will consist of song, fusion music with the piano and the tabla, and a special festival dance choreographed by the very versatile Channa Wijewardana. The Director Jith says he tries his best to bring in the traditions associated with Christmas to show that this great festival continues to be the most universally celebrated holiday around the globe transcending language and culture. “Nirthya Pooja 2002”
“Nirthya Pooja 2002” the premier concert of the students of Chandana Wickramasinghe School of Dance, will be staged at the S.De S. Jayasinghe hall, Dehiwala on December 6, with veteran artiste Piyasara Shilpadhipathi as the chief guest. Here the young dancers of the school rehearsing a performance.
Flawless performance by Tilak S. Fernando in London 'Maduwanthie Dance Performance' held on November 2 at the Acton Town Hall West London, can be regarded as a success in achieving Sathsara Institute's aim of upholding and propagating centuries old Sri Lankan culture and tradition in the form of oriental dance and music. The factors which contributed to make this show a flawless performance were mainly the agility of dance movements of the students of the institute, rhythmic drum beats, colourful and conspicuous costumes, new conceptual adaptations and a specially selected and rare musicality which penetrated the heart, soul and the mind of a packed audience. Out of the 19 listed programmes, Pooja or Mangalam, Gajaga, Thala Sankalana, Naga Raksa, Gemi, Suhada Maatra and Udarata, Phatarata and Sabaragamuwa dances distinctively penetrated to the audience both in quality and special adaptations made by Maestro Somarathna Pathiraja. The students who took part in the show comprised a full cross section of the Sri Lanakan expatriate community in London - from little 'babies' as old as five years old. Beating all records and prevalent norms in London Sathsara Art Institute adopted a new policy of exhibiting their commitment and dedication to Sri Lankan culture in Britain by making the occasion a free of charge show with an added bonus of a glossy souvenir/programme. Sathsara Art Institute allocating space to all the students to introduce themselves in their own words in the Maduwanthie souvenir was another a new concept which can act as a catalyst to those potential and enthusiastic students and Sri Lankan parents who are keen in Sri Lankan aesthetics. In doing so Chamila Dolewatte, Shalini Wijeratne, Pumanjali Nanayakkara, Dinushi Wijesekera, Tania Dilrukshi and Leigh-Anna Chaturi Rezel, Mali Hettiarachchi, Sandali Nirosha Kumar and Chandali Manisha Kumari Weerasinghe, Tissa and Asanka Weeratunge, Nishanthi Weeratunge, Ranga Sirimanne, Rasheena Madawala had expressed their own versions on Sri Lankan culture. Nimal Prematilaka, Manjula Upasena, Leelaratne Nanayakkara, Tilak Udayabandara, Nalaka Herath, Chanka Singalaxana, who are experienced dancers in London, appeared as guest performers while Nishanthi Weeratunge, a research scientist, did a solo guest performance (Thala Sankalana) and a heart rendering act (Shuddha Maathra) with Maestro Somaratna Pathiraja. Maestro Somaratne Pathiraja and his team, both on stage as well as who were behind the scenes, need to be congratulated on the tireless hard work and their undying dedication that had gone to bring such an arduous performance to a flawless performance. If 'facts are sacred and the comment is free' Sathsara Art Institute qualifies to have some constructive criticism made on some of their weak areas for their own future benefits. Although these may be regarded as teething problems of a 'cultural baby' stage management needs improving - ensuring that announcements are made when the performers are really ready. As much as timing of a performance to a maximum of two hours is vital it is disadvantages to mix video promotional shows during interval which only will eat into the audience time. It is customary to ensure that the chief guest, after all a prominent personality, is well received and ushered in a formal manner and not to be seen him lost somewhere in the middle of the hall. The lighting of the lamp ceremony is also a prominent Sri Lankan custom with adequate lighting and announcements, aided by an official on the spot, which was slightly overlooked to some extent! On the technical side sound system, which is most vital in any show, was of very high standard. Music " The thanksgiving of youth by Umangi de Mel & Vimukthi Fernando It is certainly something to be thankful for... Music which fills our ears and hearts soothing melodies which lulls and relaxes, bubbling tempos which brings in a surge of adrenalin propelling us to perform a step to fit in.. "Thank You for the music" a festival of music by the students of Gateway International School held at the Lionel Wendt last weekend could certainly be said a thanksgiving of the young generations of Sri Lanka. Starting with a 'bang,' the spirit and zest of youth, members of the senior choir, in their colourful costumes and 'bollywood' dance steps entertained the crowds with the melodies from 'Grease.' The juniors in contrast lulled the audience with the tunes from 'The Mermaid.' Their own version of the movie coming to life was more of a harmony with a wonderful rendering of the high notes in perfect pitch. The solo items by the members of the senior choir, which included popular songs and many others came in between the group items. Though it was an opportunity which brought out a lot of talent giving every student a chance to showcase his/her capabilities, at times it was marred by the initial excitement or stage fright of the performers. Ruwani Siemon Seneviratne, having choreographed the show along with two of her students, had done a good job on the dance items as well as songs. She had taken a chance on all her students, not giving any single person any particular, prominence, says Ruwani. The choirs were supported by a three piece band and the wealth of music it dished out. The apt back drops heightened the atmosphere of the moments created. The event, a colourful and energetic affair full of action and merriment that comprised a medley of songs and dances, was well worth an evening's entertainment. |
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The event will be of dual significance as Srimath will launch his own
book of lyrics and poems titled 'Peeli Panina Nahara Vel' at the same time
to coincide with the musical show.
All the traditional carols like 'O' Holy Night, 'O' Come all ye
Faithful', 'Joy to the World' and popular Christmas songs such as 'I saw
mummy kissing Santa Clause' and 'White Christmas', Winter wonderland,
& Sleigh Ride will be sung by Penny Ferdinand, Shennelle Fernando,
Anjela Seneviratne, Samantha Ferdinand, Krishan and Sanjiv Jayaratnam,
Dayan Fernando and a host of others.
